x

McKenna: Loan Moves Great Opportunities For Humphreys and Baggott - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Kieran McKenna says Cameron Humphreys, who joined League One Wycombe on loan yesterday, has been a huge part of the success the club has had over the last couple of season and it’s a big positive for the midfielder - and also for centre-half Elkan Baggott - to move out for the season.

Humphreys, 20, joined the Chairboys, where there are familiar faces in the shape of manager Matt Bloomfield and head of recruitment Scott Mitchell, who both spent time working at the Town academy, yesterday having recovered from a thigh injury which he picked up early in pre-season.

Indonesia international Baggott, 21, moved to Blackpool earlier in the summer and has already made two starts for the Tangerines, who also play in League One.

"Positive that both of those boys have had the opportunity now to go and get experience,” McKenna said.

"For Cameron his first experience out on loan and as I've said many times such an important player for us.

"He's been a fantastic part of the success that we've had, I have to say, and people won't fully understand.

"It’s maybe easier to understand that with a senior player, maybe a Kayden Jackson or Dominic Ball or Richard Keogh, with different players we've had over the years who maybe haven't played in every game, but have been a really important part of the group. 

"It's pretty unique when you have a 20-year-old who is also one of your standard bearers day to day, one of the best players in training day-in and day-out, is one of the most professional players in the group and the most committed players in the group.

"He's had a massive part in the success over the last couple of years, as well as obviously the big impact he had on the League One promotion season at a time when we were much shorter in numbers than we were last season. 

"So he's a really important player for us. We think he's got a really good career ahead of him and he's had some good experiences here now as part of a successful group and the chance now is for him to go and get his first loan experience, and I'm sure he'll embrace it and take the challenge with both hands.

"And for Elkan, it’s a chance to go out and gain some more experience and get some more games. He’s had another really good pre-season with us, has performed really well in a different well.

"But we know with young centre-backs, the most valuable thing you can get is game time and pick up those experiences.

"Disappointed, of course, to hear that there’s a managerial change there so soon in the season [Neil Critchley was sacked earlier in the week with Baggott’s former Town teammate Keogh in temporary charge], but Elkan’s such a committed and versatile player, he’ll work really hard to make it a successful loan.”

What to read next:

McKenna: Preston Have Made a Good Start, Up to Us to Impose Ourselves On the Game
Blues boss Kieran McKenna is anticipating a tough game against a Preston North End side which has made an impressive start to the season at Deepdale on Saturday.
[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
McKenna: O'Shea and Morsy Share Some Traits
Blues manager Kieran McKenna says new skipper Dara O’Shea shares some similarities with former captain Samy Morsy but while adding his own personality to the role.
McKenna: All Transfer Windows Are Tough, This Has Had the Most Challenging Situations
Manager Kieran McKenna says all transfer windows have been tough but this one presented the most challenging situations in pre-season with the Blues going into an important final few days still needing to add to the squad and with more players perhaps moving on.
McKenna: Matusiwa Settling in Well in Challenging Role
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says summer signing Azor Matusiwa is settling in well, despite having gone straight into a challenging role with the midfield light following summer exits.
McKenna: Challenging Start But Positives to Take
Town boss Kieran McKenna says it’s been a challenging start to the season but with positives to be taken from it, the Blues having drawn both their opening fixtures 1-1 against sides also expected to be in the division’s upper echelons come May.
McKenna Tight-Lipped on McAteer Interest
Boss Kieran McKenna wouldn’t be drawn on the Blues’ interest in Leicester City winger Kasey McAteer at his lunchtime press conference.
McKenna: We Want to Keep Woolfy But These Situations Aren't Always Simple
Town manager Kieran McKenna says Luke Woolfenden, a target of Coventry, Stoke and other Championship sides, is a player he wants to keep at Portman Road but that these situations are never simple.
McKenna: One or Two Little Issues, No Break For Szmodics, Cajuste and Akpom Training
Town boss Kieran McKenna says the squad has one or two little issues from the Southampton game which are being assessed but confirmed Sammie Szmodics didn’t suffer a fracture to his arm and that recent loan signings Jens Cajuste and Chuba Akpom have trained with the squad this week.